"Silver Gem" was the second Freeman 30 to be built, it
is believed it was built alongside the first one in the workshop. It was
supplied new in 1966 to Mr and Mrs Free and initially called Ivory Gem. Mr and
Mrs Free were close friends of Mr Freeman, who incidentally had boat number
one for himself. Number 3 went to his brother Bert Freeman.

Soon after purchasing the boat, Mrs Free took a photo of
Mr Free enjoying their new boat on the river and when it was showed to Mr
Freeman he asked if it would be possible to use the photo on some publicity
material. It then featured on the front cover of the second printing of the
Freeman 30 brochure. An interior shot of Ivory Gem was used on the first
edition.

When the Free's bought a larger Freeman a few years
later, they renamed the boat Silver Gem and retained the name Ivory Gem for
their new Freeman 32.

She was moored on the lower Thames for many years but
has had owners on the Gt. Ouse (Incidentally at the same St Neots boat club as
I am now a member!!) she moved to the RIver Severn for a number of years
before returning to the Thames where we purchased her in 2009 and had her
returned to St Neots.

She has a number of interesting features not seen on
later Freeman 30's. A folding windscreen, the same as fitted to the Freeman
26's, possibly all that was available at the time. A wooden veneered cockpit,
all later ones had black vinyl. She has a pilot berth or settee in the main
cabin, later ones had a larger toilet, dinette or a set of cupboards in this
location.

Unusually for a pleasure boat, Silver Gem has much of
her history well documented. Almost every owner, letters form first owner,
port of registration documents, Detailed receipts for all purchases going back
years, including one for the curtain hooks!!!!